On June 30, 2022 Governor Newsom signed the 2022-23 State Budget. As expected, by 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday June 29, 2022, the Legislature passed the array of bills that make up the $308 billion budget agreement. The Administration, the Senate, and the Assembly leadership reached “the deal” over the weekend of June 25th, paving the way for the Legislature to send the Governor an amended Budget Bill plus a host of budget trailer bills prior to the start of the 2022-23 fiscal year, July 1st. The Rural Rundown captures highlights of the budget package as it relates to RCRC member counties.
Although the bills signed on June 30th conclude much of the budget conversation, there is more to be done. When they return in August, the Legislature will be developing the details around energy, wildfire, and drought funding.
Also of note, the potential $25 million being made available for Williamson Act in earlier iterations of the budget was, regrettably, redirected to the Sustainable Agricultural Land Conservation program.
The budget agreement includes a number of high-profile items, such as:
- $9.5 billion in direct refunds to income tax filers with incomes up to $250,000 for single filers and $500,000 for joint filers.
- $47 billion for infrastructure over four years, including, $550 million for broadband and $150 million for libraries.
- An increase of 15 percent for TK-12 school funding.
- $1.3 billion in retention stipends for health care workers.
The Rural Rundown captures some of the other budget highlights of particular interest to RCRC member counties. Read it here.